U.S. patent number 9,745,107 [Application Number 15/052,501] was granted by the patent office on 2017-08-29 for e-liquid dispenser.
This patent grant is currently assigned to RETRO BRANDS, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is RETRO BRANDS, LLC. Invention is credited to Nedal Makarem, Shady Makarem, Rabih Zahr.
United States Patent |
9,745,107 |
Zahr , et al. |
August 29, 2017 |
E-liquid dispenser
Abstract
An e-liquid dispenser. The e-liquid dispenser may contain and
dispense e-liquids for use in e-cigarettes and comprise a hinged
container having a bottom housing and a pivotally-attached lid, and
a removable e-bottle used to hold and dispense the e-liquid. The
e-bottle may be child resistant and may comprise a raised portion
on a wall of the e-bottle, wherein the raised portion may match an
opening in a wall of the bottom housing such that when the e-bottle
is inserted into the bottom housing, it is securely held in the
bottom housing. E-liquid is expelled from the e-bottle by a user
pressing on the raised portion. The e-bottle may be removed by
depressing the raised portion and pushing the e-bottle out of the
bottom housing. The removable e-bottle may also include a spout
that allows the e-bottle to be refilled so that the e-bottle is
reusable.
Inventors: |
Zahr; Rabih (Foothill Ranch,
CA), Makarem; Shady (Foothill Ranch, CA), Makarem;
Nedal (Foothill Ranch, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RETRO BRANDS, LLC |
Foothill Ranch |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
RETRO BRANDS, LLC (Foothill
Ranch, CA)
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Family
ID: |
56110449 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/052,501 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160167846 A1 |
Jun 16, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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14785246 |
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PCT/US2014/070117 |
Dec 12, 2014 |
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29477434 |
Dec 20, 2013 |
D765908 |
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61919678 |
Dec 20, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
50/046 (20130101); B65D 43/165 (20130101); Y02W
30/80 (20150501); A24F 15/015 (20200101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67B
1/00 (20060101); B65D 50/04 (20060101); A24F
47/00 (20060101); B65D 43/16 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;222/206,214,153.14
;239/327 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
PCT/US2014/070117; International Search Report and Written Opinion
of the ISA dated May 19, 2015; 7 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Buechner; Patrick M
Assistant Examiner: Melaragno; Michael J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hankin Patent Law, APC Schraven;
Kevin Patel; Anooj
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/785,246, titled "E-Liquid
Dispenser", filed on Oct. 16, 2015, by co-inventors Rabih Zahr,
Shady Makarem, and Nedal Makarem, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and to which
priority is claimed. This Application also claims priority to U.S.
Design patent application No. 29/477,434, titled "E-Liquid
Dispenser", filed on Dec. 20, 2013, by co-inventors Rabih Zahr,
Shady Makarem, and Nedal Makarem, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/785,246 is a National Stage Application of
International Patent Cooperation Treaty ("PCT") Patent Application
No. PCT/US2014/070117, titled "E-Liquid Dispenser", filed on Dec.
12, 2014, by co-inventors Rabih Zahr, Shady Makarem, and Nedal
Makarem, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein
in their entirety and to which priority is claimed. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/785,246 and PCT Patent Application No.
PCT/US2014/070117 claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/919,678, titled "E-Liquid Dispenser," filed
on Dec. 20, 2013, by co-inventors Rabih Zahr, Shady Makarem, and
Nedal Makarem, the contents of which are incorporated by reference
herein in their entirety.
Claims
We claim:
1. An e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism,
comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; a hinge assembly pivotally
coupling said lid to said bottom housing, comprising: one or more
housing hinge barrels; one or more lid hinge barrels; and a roll
pin; a child resistant mechanism; and an e-bottle; wherein said lid
is adapted to pivotally close with said bottom housing, such that
said e-liquid dispenser has a closed configuration; wherein said
child resistant mechanism is adapted to keep said e-liquid
dispenser in said closed configuration and comprises a latch and an
indentation; wherein said latch and said at least one indentation
are disposed opposite one another on said bottom housing and said
lid, such that when said e-liquid dispenser is in said closed
configuration, said latch and said indentation are releaseably
coupled together; wherein said bottom housing comprises: a front
wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an
opening; wherein said first sidewall of said bottom housing
comprises said latch; wherein said lid comprises a first sidewall
and a second sidewall; wherein said first sidewall of said lid
comprises said indentation; wherein said second sidewall of said
lid is pivotally coupled to said second sidewall of said bottom
housing; wherein when said e-liquid dispenser is closed, said latch
of said bottom housing matingly engages with said indentation of
said lid; wherein said e-bottle is adapted to removeably fit within
an interior of said bottom housing; wherein a rear wall of said
e-bottle comprises a raised portion that fits snugly within said
opening located at said rear wall of said bottom housing; wherein
said one or more lid hinge barrels are located at a bottom edge of
said second sidewall of said lid and comprise one or more lid hinge
barrel openings; wherein said one or more housing hinge barrels are
located at an upper edge of said second sidewall of said bottom
housing and comprise one or more housing hinge barrel openings;
wherein said one or more lid hinge barrel openings are
substantially oblong in shape; and wherein said roll pin is
disposed between said one or more lid hinge barrel openings and
said one or more housing hinge barrel openings, such that said lid
is pivotally and slideably coupled to said bottom housing.
2. An e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism,
comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; a child resistant mechanism;
and an e-bottle; wherein said lid is adapted to pivotally close
with said bottom housing, such that said e-liquid dispenser has a
closed configuration; wherein said child resistant mechanism is
adapted to keep said e-liquid dispenser in said closed
configuration and comprises a latch and an indentation; wherein
said latch and said at least one indentation are disposed opposite
one another on said bottom housing and said lid, such that when
said e-liquid dispenser is in said closed configuration, said latch
and said indentation are releaseably coupled together; wherein said
bottom housing comprises: a front wall, a rear wall, a first
sidewall, a second sidewall, and an opening; wherein said first
sidewall of said bottom housing comprises said latch; wherein said
lid comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall; wherein said
first sidewall of said lid comprises said indentation; wherein said
second sidewall of said lid is pivotally coupled to said second
sidewall of said bottom housing; wherein when said e-liquid
dispenser is closed, said latch of said bottom housing matingly
engages with said indentation of said lid; wherein said e-bottle is
adapted to removeably fit within an interior of said bottom
housing; wherein a rear wall of said e-bottle comprises a raised
portion that fits snugly within said opening located at said rear
wall of said bottom housing; wherein said lid comprises at least
two ribbed portions located within said interior of said first
sidewall; and wherein said indentation is disposed between said at
least two ribbed portions, such that said at least two ribbed
portions are adapted to guide said latch into said indentation.
3. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 1, where said raised portion of
said e-bottle is substantially circular in shape having a first
diameter; wherein said opening of said rear wall of said bottom
housing is also substantially circular in shape having a second
diameter; and wherein said first diameter is approximately equal to
said second diameter, such that said raised portion of said
e-bottle snugly fits with said opening of said rear wall of said
bottom housing.
4. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said hinge assembly
further comprises a torsion spring adapted for exerting a bias
between said lid and said bottom housing.
5. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 1, where said e-bottle comprises
a spout adapted to dispense said e-liquid from said e-bottle and
receive said e-liquid for filling said e-bottle.
6. An e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism,
comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; a hinge assembly pivotally
coupling said lid to said bottom housing, comprising: one or more
housing hinge barrels; one or more lid hinge barrels; and a roll
pin; a child resistant mechanism; and an e-bottle; wherein said lid
is adapted to pivotally close with said bottom housing, such that
said e-liquid dispenser has a closed configuration; wherein said
child resistant mechanism is adapted to keep said e-liquid
dispenser in said closed configuration and comprises a latch and an
indentation; wherein said at least one latch and said at least one
indentation are disposed opposite one another on said bottom
housing and said lid, such that when said e-liquid dispenser is in
said closed configuration, said latch and said indentation are
releaseably coupled together; wherein said bottom housing
comprises: a front wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, a second
sidewall, and an opening; wherein said first sidewall of said
bottom housing comprises said indentation; wherein said lid
comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall; wherein said
first sidewall of said lid comprises said latch; wherein said
second sidewall of said lid is pivotally coupled to said second
sidewall of said bottom housing; wherein when said e-liquid
dispenser is closed, said indentation of said bottom housing
matingly engages with said latch of said lid; wherein said e-bottle
is adapted to removeably fit within an interior of said bottom
housing; wherein a rear wall of said e-bottle comprises a raised
portion that fits snugly within said opening located at said rear
wall of said bottom housing; wherein said one or more lid hinge
barrels are located at a bottom edge of said second sidewall of
said lid and comprise one or more lid hinge barrel openings;
wherein said one or more housing hinge barrels are located at an
upper edge of said second sidewall of said bottom housing and
comprise one or more housing hinge barrel openings; wherein said
one or more housing hinge barrel openings are substantially oblong
in shape; and wherein said roll pin is disposed between said one or
more lid hinge barrel openings and said one or more housing hinge
barrel openings, such that said bottom housing is pivotally and
slideably coupled to said lid.
7. An e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism,
comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; a child resistant mechanism;
and an e-bottle; wherein said lid is adapted to pivotally close
with said bottom housing, such that said e-liquid dispenser has a
closed configuration; wherein said child resistant mechanism is
adapted to keep said e-liquid dispenser in said closed
configuration and comprises a latch and an indentation; wherein
said at least one latch and said at least one indentation are
disposed opposite one another on said bottom housing and said lid,
such that when said e-liquid dispenser is in said closed
configuration, said latch and said indentation are releaseably
coupled together; wherein said bottom housing comprises: a front
wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an
opening; wherein said first sidewall of said bottom housing
comprises said indentation; wherein said lid comprises a first
sidewall and a second sidewall; wherein said first sidewall of said
lid comprises said latch; wherein said second sidewall of said lid
is pivotally coupled to said second sidewall of said bottom
housing; wherein when said e-liquid dispenser is closed, said
indentation of said bottom housing matingly engages with said latch
of said lid; wherein said e-bottle is adapted to removeably fit
within an interior of said bottom housing; wherein a rear wall of
said e-bottle comprises a raised portion that fits snugly within
said opening located at said rear wall of said bottom housing;
wherein said bottom housing comprises at least two ribbed portions
located within said interior of said first sidewall; and wherein
said indentation is disposed between said at least two ribbed
portions, such that said at least two ribbed portions are adapted
to guide said latch into said indentation.
8. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 6, where said raised portion of
said e-bottle is substantially circular in shape having a first
diameter; wherein said opening of said rear wall of said bottom
housing is also substantially circular in shape having a second
diameter; and wherein said first diameter is approximately equal to
said second diameter, such that said raised portion of said
e-bottle snugly fits with said opening of said rear wall of said
bottom housing.
9. The e-liquid dispense of claim 6, wherein said hinge assembly
further comprises a torsion spring adapted for exerting a bias
between said lid and said bottom housing.
10. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 6, where said e-bottle
comprises a spout adapted to dispense said e-liquid from said
e-bottle and receive said e-liquid for filling said e-bottle.
11. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 2, where said raised portion of
said e-bottle is substantially circular in shape having a first
diameter; wherein said opening of said rear wall of said bottom
housing is also substantially circular in shape having a second
diameter; and wherein said first diameter is approximately equal to
said second diameter, such that said raised portion of said
e-bottle snugly fits with said opening of said rear wall of said
bottom housing.
12. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 2, where said e-bottle
comprises a spout adapted to dispense said e-liquid from said
e-bottle and receive said e-liquid for filling said e-bottle.
13. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 7, where said raised portion of
said e-bottle is substantially circular in shape having a first
diameter; wherein said opening of said rear wall of said bottom
housing is also substantially circular in shape having a second
diameter; and wherein said first diameter is approximately equal to
said second diameter, such that said raised portion of said
e-bottle snugly fits with said opening of said rear wall of said
bottom housing.
14. The e-liquid dispenser of claim 7, where said e-bottle
comprises a spout adapted to dispense said e-liquid from said
e-bottle and receive said e-liquid for filling said e-bottle.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to hinged containers, and
more particularly to e-liquid dispensers that hold liquid that is
atomized for electronic cigarettes. Preferably, the hinged
containers comprise a child resistant locking mechanism to prevent
unintended use by minors.
1. Description of Related Art
An electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette or smokeless cigarette) is
an electronic device that simulates the act of tobacco smoking by
converting a liquid into an inhaled mist or aerosol having the
physical sensation, appearance, nicotine content, and flavor of
inhaled tobacco smoke, without the odor and well-known health risks
associated with the burning of tobacco and inhaling the smoke
thereof when smoking cigarettes. Lighting a traditional cigarette
causes the tobacco to burn, releasing smoke, which contains
nicotine and other chemicals. The user breathes in the smoke to
deliver nicotine to the lungs, as well as harmful chemicals, such
as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogenic
tar.
An electronic cigarette does not include the process of tobacco
combustion and smoke inhalation. Instead, the electronic cigarette
heats a liquid containing nicotine in varying concentrations and
converts the liquid to a vapor or mist that the user inhales.
Depending on the electronic cigarette, the user may simply inhale
from the cartridge to begin the vaporization process that results
in a vapor without the tar. An e-cigarette generally uses heat or
ultrasonics to vaporize a propylene glycol- or glycerine-based
liquid solution into a vapor for inhalation.
Electronic cigarettes generally comprise three essential
components: (1) a cartridge, (2) an atomizer, and (3) a
rechargeable battery unit. The "cartridge" serves as a mouthpiece
and usually doubles as a small reservoir that holds the liquid that
is to be vaporized. The "atomizer" serves as the heating element
responsible for vaporizing the liquid to provide the aerosol mist
and may be coupled to the cartridge. If the cartridge and the
atomizer are combined, the combination may be referred to as a
"cartomizer." The "rechargeable battery unit" powers the electronic
cigarette, and, when the user inhales, the atomizer is activated
and heats and vaporizes the liquid, which is then inhaled through
the mouthpiece.
The contents of the liquid solution used to produce the aerosol
mist in electronic cigarettes vary widely, but they commonly
include distilled water and flavorings (e.g., tobacco smoke,
menthol, mint, coffee, chocolate) in a propylene glycol or glycerin
base. Nicotine may also be included in solutions in varying degrees
intended to fulfill a nicotine replacement role, without the
carcinogenic tar associated with tobacco smoke, but the liquid may
also be nicotine free. This liquid solution may commonly be
referred to as an "e-liquid."
After the e-liquid is depleted, the user may replace the cartridge
if it is a prefilled cartridge. Alternatively, the user may also
purchase bottles of e-liquid and refill the cartridge himself or
herself. In the latter case, e-liquids of varying compositions may
be purchased in small glass bottles, such as small 5 ml bottles of
various sizes, such as 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml, 30 ml, or even larger.
These bottles are typically capped. In some bottles, the cap may
include an eye dropper for dispensing the e-liquid into a cartridge
or cartomizer.
As many consumers of e-cigarettes wish to experience the same
sensations and actions as tobacco smokers, a user may inhale the
e-cigarette as she would with a regular cigarette. For example,
some e-cigarettes include a light-emitting diode (LED) that lights
up when the user inhales, giving the appearance of a flame at the
end of the e-cigarette. Also, the e-cigarette may take the form of
a cigarette in an old-fashioned holder, and the smaller versions of
e-cigarettes may take the form and shape of a traditional tobacco
cigarette.
Unfortunately, due to the increase popularity of e-cigarettes, many
young children have been exposed to e-cigarettes and as a result
have expressed an interest in using e-cigarettes. Some children
have sought out the use of electronic cigarettes without the
knowledge or consent of their parents. Thus, to help minimize use
by young children, it would be beneficial to provide an e-liquid
container with child resistant features.
With more widespread use of e-cigarettes, there is now a need for
an improved design of e-liquid dispensers that is more acceptable
to these consumers of e-cigarettes. Preferably, the new and
improved e-liquid dispenser comprises a child resistant mechanism,
making access to the e-liquid tamper-resistant by minors.
Preferably, this child resistant mechanism may also be utilized by
other various hinged containers.
SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other
limitations that will become apparent upon reading and
understanding the present specification, the following discloses a
new and improved e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant
mechanism.
One embodiment may be an e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant
mechanism, comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; and a child
resistant mechanism; wherein the lid may be adapted to pivotally
close with the bottom housing, such that the e-liquid dispenser has
a closed configuration; and wherein the child resistant mechanism
may be adapted to keep the e-liquid dispenser in the closed
configuration and wherein the child resistant mechanism
substantially prevents a child from being able to open the e-liquid
dispenser. The child resistant mechanism may comprise a latch and
an indentation; and wherein the latch and the indentation may be
disposed opposite one another on the bottom housing and the lid,
such that when the e-liquid dispenser is in the closed
configuration, the latch and the indentation are releaseably
coupled together. The bottom housing may comprise: a front wall, a
rear wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall; wherein the
first sidewall of the bottom housing may comprise the latch;
wherein the lid may comprise a first sidewall and a second
sidewall; wherein the first sidewall of the lid may comprise the
indentation; wherein the second sidewall of the lid may be
pivotally coupled to the second sidewall of the bottom housing; and
wherein when the e-liquid dispenser is closed, the latch of the
bottom housing matingly engages with the indentation of the lid.
The bottom housing may comprise: a front wall, a rear wall, a first
sidewall, and a second sidewall; wherein the first sidewall of the
bottom housing may comprise the indentation; wherein the lid may
comprise a first sidewall and a second sidewall; wherein the first
sidewall of the lid may comprise the latch; wherein the second
sidewall of the lid may be pivotally coupled to the second sidewall
of the bottom housing; and wherein when the e-liquid dispenser is
closed, the indentation of the bottom housing may matingly engage
with the latch of the lid. An e-bottle may be adapted to removeably
fit within an interior of the bottom housing; and wherein a rear
wall of the e-bottle may comprise a raised portion that fits snugly
within an opening at the rear wall of the bottom housing. The
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism may further
comprise: a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom
housing, comprising: one or more housing hinge barrels; one or more
lid hinge barrels; and a roll pin; wherein the one or more lid
hinge barrels may be located at a bottom edge of the second
sidewall of the lid and may comprise one or more lid hinge barrel
openings; wherein the one or more housing hinge barrels may be
located at an upper edge of the second sidewall of the bottom
housing and may comprise one or more housing hinge barrel openings;
wherein the one or more lid hinge barrel openings may be
substantially oblong in shape; and wherein the roll pin may be
disposed between the one or more lid hinge barrel openings and the
one or more housing hinge barrel openings, such that the lid may be
pivotally and slideably coupled to the bottom housing. The e-liquid
dispenser with a child resistant mechanism may further comprise: a
hinge assembly pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom housing,
comprising: one or more housing hinge barrels; one or more lid
hinge barrels; and a roll pin; wherein the one or more lid hinge
barrels may be located at a bottom edge of the second sidewall of
the lid and may comprise one or more lid hinge barrel openings;
wherein the one or more housing hinge barrels may be located at an
upper edge of the second sidewall of the bottom housing and may
comprise one or more housing hinge barrel openings; wherein the one
or more housing hinge barrel openings may be substantially oblong
in shape; and wherein the roll pin may be disposed between the one
or more lid hinge barrel openings and the one or more housing hinge
barrel openings, such that the bottom housing is pivotally and
slideably coupled to the lid. The lid may comprises at least two
ribbed portions located within the interior of the first sidewall;
and wherein the indentation may be disposed between the at least
two ribbed portions, such that the at least two ribbed portions are
adapted to guide the latch into the indentation.
Another embodiment may be an e-liquid dispenser with a child
resistant mechanism, comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; a child
resistant mechanism; and an e-bottle; wherein the lid may be
adapted to pivotally close with the bottom housing, such that the
e-liquid dispenser has a closed configuration; wherein the child
resistant mechanism may be adapted to keep the e-liquid dispenser
in the closed configuration and may comprises a latch and an
indentation; wherein the latch and the at least one indentation may
be disposed opposite one another on the bottom housing and the lid,
such that when the e-liquid dispenser is in the closed
configuration, the latch and the indentation are releaseably
coupled together; wherein the bottom housing may comprise: a front
wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an
opening; wherein the first sidewall of the bottom housing may
comprise the latch; wherein the lid may comprise a first sidewall
and a second sidewall; wherein the first sidewall of the lid may
comprise the indentation; wherein the second sidewall of the lid
may be pivotally coupled to the second sidewall of the bottom
housing; wherein when the e-liquid dispenser is closed, the latch
of the bottom housing may matingly engage with the indentation of
the lid; wherein the e-bottle may be adapted to removeably fit
within an interior of the bottom housing; and wherein a rear wall
of the e-bottle may comprise a raised portion that fits snugly
within the opening located at the rear wall of the bottom housing.
The e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism may further
comprise: a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom
housing, comprising: one or more housing hinge barrels; one or more
lid hinge barrels; and a roll pin; wherein the one or more lid
hinge barrels may be located at a bottom edge of the second
sidewall of the lid and may comprise one or more lid hinge barrel
openings; wherein the one or more housing hinge barrels may be
located at an upper edge of the second sidewall of the bottom
housing and may comprise one or more housing hinge barrel openings;
wherein the one or more lid hinge barrel openings may be
substantially oblong in shape; and wherein the roll pin may be
disposed between the one or more lid hinge barrel openings and the
one or more housing hinge barrel openings, such that the lid is
pivotally and slideably coupled to the bottom housing. The lid may
comprise at least two ribbed portions located within the interior
of the first sidewall; and wherein the indentation may be disposed
between the at least two ribbed portions, such that the at least
two ribbed portions are adapted to guide the latch into the
indentation. The raised portion of the e-bottle may be
substantially circular in shape having a first diameter; wherein
the opening of the rear wall of the bottom housing may also be
substantially circular in shape having a second diameter; and
wherein the first diameter may be approximately equal to the second
diameter, such that the raised portion of the e-bottle snugly fits
with the opening of the rear wall of the bottom housing. The hinge
assembly may further comprise a torsion spring adapted for exerting
a bias between the lid and the bottom housing. The e-bottle may
comprise a spout adapted to dispense the e-liquid from the e-bottle
and receive the e-liquid for filling the e-bottle.
Another embodiment may be an e-liquid dispenser with a child
resistant mechanism, comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; a child
resistant mechanism; and an e-bottle; wherein the lid may be
adapted to pivotally close with the bottom housing, such that the
e-liquid dispenser has a closed configuration; wherein the child
resistant mechanism may be adapted to keep the e-liquid dispenser
in the closed configuration and may comprise a latch and an
indentation; wherein the at least one latch and the at least one
indentation may be disposed opposite one another on the bottom
housing and the lid, such that when the e-liquid dispenser is in
the closed configuration, the latch and the indentation may be
releaseably coupled together; wherein the bottom housing may
comprise: a front wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, a second
sidewall, and an opening; wherein the first sidewall of the bottom
housing may comprise the indentation; wherein the lid may comprise
a first sidewall and a second sidewall; wherein the first sidewall
of the lid may comprise the latch; wherein the second sidewall of
the lid may be pivotally coupled to the second sidewall of the
bottom housing; wherein when the e-liquid dispenser is closed, the
indentation of the bottom housing may matingly engage with the
latch of the lid; wherein the e-bottle may be adapted to removeably
fit within an interior of the bottom housing; and wherein a rear
wall of the e-bottle may comprise a raised portion that fits snugly
within the opening located at the rear wall of the bottom housing.
The e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism may further
comprise: a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom
housing, comprising: one or more housing hinge barrels; one or more
lid hinge barrels; and a roll pin; wherein the one or more lid
hinge barrels may be located at a bottom edge of the second
sidewall of the lid and may comprise one or more lid hinge barrel
openings; wherein the one or more housing hinge barrels may be
located at an upper edge of the second sidewall of the bottom
housing and may comprise one or more housing hinge barrel openings;
wherein the one or more housing hinge barrel openings may be
substantially oblong in shape; and wherein the roll pin may be
disposed between the one or more lid hinge barrel openings and the
one or more housing hinge barrel openings, such that the bottom
housing is pivotally and slideably coupled to the lid. The bottom
housing may comprise at least two ribbed portions located within
the interior of the first sidewall; and wherein the indentation may
be disposed between the at least two ribbed portions, such that the
at least two ribbed portions are adapted to guide the latch into
the indentation. The raised portion of the e-bottle may be
substantially circular in shape having a first diameter; wherein
the opening of the rear wall of the bottom housing may also be
substantially circular in shape having a second diameter; and
wherein the first diameter may be approximately equal to the second
diameter, such that the raised portion of the e-bottle snugly fits
with the opening of the rear wall of the bottom housing. The hinge
assembly may further comprise a torsion spring adapted for exerting
a bias between the lid and the bottom housing. The e-bottle may
comprise a spout adapted to dispense the e-liquid from the e-bottle
and receive the e-liquid for filling the e-bottle.
Another embodiment may be an e-liquid dispenser with a child
resistant mechanism, comprising: a bottom housing, a lid, and an
e-bottle; wherein the bottom housing may comprise: a front wall, a
rear wall, a first sidewall having a latch, and a second sidewall;
wherein the lid may comprise a second sidewall, a first sidewall,
and an indentation located within an interior of the first
sidewall; wherein the second sidewall of the lid may be pivotally
coupled to the second sidewall of the bottom housing; wherein the
e-bottle may be adapted to store an e-liquid and comprises a front
wall and a rear wall; wherein the e-bottle may be adapted to be
removeably fitted within an interior of the bottom housing; wherein
the rear wall of the e-bottle may comprise a raised portion that
fits snugly within an opening at the rear wall of the bottom
housing; and wherein the lid may be adapted to pivotally close with
the bottom housing, such that when the e-liquid dispenser is
closed, the latch of the bottom housing matingly engages with the
indentation of the lid. The e-liquid dispenser may further comprise
a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom housing,
comprising: one or more lid hinge barrels; one or more housing
hinge barrels; and a roll pin; wherein the one or more lid hinge
barrels may be located at a bottom edge of the second sidewall of
the lid and comprise one or more first openings; wherein the one or
more housing hinge barrels may be located at an upper edge of the
second sidewall of the bottom housing and comprise one or more
second openings; wherein the one or more first openings of the one
or more lid hinge barrels may be substantially oblong in shape and
not circular; and wherein the roll pin may be disposed between the
one or more first openings of the one or more lid hinge barrels and
one or more second openings of the second hinges, such that the lid
is pivotally coupled to the bottom housing. The lid may comprise at
least two ribbed portions located within the interior of the first
sidewall; and wherein the indentation may be disposed between the
at least two ribbed portions, such that the at least two ribbed
portions are adapted to guide the latch into the indentation. The
latch may vertically traverse beyond an edge of the bottom housing.
The raised portion of the e-bottle may be substantially circular in
shape having a first diameter; wherein the opening of the rear wall
of the bottom housing may also be substantially circular in shape
having a second diameter; and wherein the first diameter may be
approximately equal to the second diameter, such that the raised
portion of the e-bottle matingly engages with the opening of the
rear wall of the bottom housing. The hinge assembly may further
comprise a torsion spring adapted for exerting a bias between the
lid and the bottom housing. The e-bottle may comprise a spout
adapted to dispense the e-liquid from the e-bottle and receive the
e-liquid for filling the e-bottle.
Another embodiment may be an e-liquid dispenser with a child
resistant mechanism, comprising: a bottom housing; a lid; and an
e-bottle; wherein the bottom housing may comprise: a front wall, a
rear wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an indentation
located within an interior of the right sidewall; wherein the lid
may comprise a second sidewall and a first sidewall having a latch;
wherein the second sidewall of the lid may be pivotally coupled to
the second sidewall of the bottom housing; wherein the e-bottle may
be adapted to store the e-liquid and comprises a front wall and a
rear wall; wherein the e-bottle may be adapted to be removeably
fitted within an interior of the bottom housing; wherein the rear
wall of the e-bottle may comprise a raised portion that fits snugly
within an opening in the rear wall of the bottom housing; and
wherein the lid may be adapted to pivotally close with the bottom
housing, such that when the e-liquid dispenser is closed, the latch
of the lid matingly engages with the indentation of the bottom
housing. The e-liquid dispenser may further comprise a hinge
assembly pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom housing,
comprising: one or more lid hinge barrels; one or more housing
hinge barrels; and a roll pin; wherein the one or more lid hinge
barrels may be located at a bottom edge of the second sidewall of
the lid and may comprise one or more first openings; wherein the
one or more housing hinge barrels may be located at an upper edge
of the second sidewall of the bottom housing and may comprise one
or more second openings; wherein the one or more second openings of
the one or more housing hinge barrels may be substantially oblong
in shape and not circular; and wherein the roll pin may be disposed
between the one or more first openings of the one or more lid hinge
barrels and one or more second openings of the second hinges, such
that the lid is pivotally coupled to the bottom housing. The bottom
housing may comprise at least two ribbed portions located within
the interior of the first sidewall; and wherein the indentation may
be disposed between the at least two ribbed portions, such that the
at least two ribbed portions are adapted to guide the latch into
the indentation. The latch may vertically traverse beyond an edge
of the lid. The raised portion of the e-bottle may be substantially
circular in shape having a first diameter; wherein the opening of
the rear wall of the bottom housing may also be substantially
circular in shape having a second diameter; and wherein the first
diameter may be approximately equal to the second diameter, such
that the raised portion of the e-bottle matingly engages with the
opening of the rear wall of the bottom housing. The hinge assembly
may further comprise a torsion spring adapted for exerting a bias
between the lid and the bottom housing.
Another embodiment may be a hinged container with a child resistant
mechanism, comprising: a bottom housing; and a lid; wherein the
bottom housing may comprise: a second sidewall and a first sidewall
having a latch; wherein the lid may comprise a second sidewall, a
first sidewall, and an indentation located within an interior of
the first sidewall; wherein the second sidewall of the lid may be
pivotally coupled to the second sidewall of the bottom housing;
wherein the lid may be adapted to pivotally close with the bottom
housing, such that when the hinged container is closed, the latch
of the bottom housing matingly engages with the indentation of the
lid. The hinged container may further comprise a hinge assembly
pivotally coupling the lid to the bottom housing, comprising: one
or more lid hinge barrels; one or more housing hinge barrels; and a
roll pin; wherein the one or more lid hinge barrels may be located
at a bottom edge of the second sidewall of the lid and may comprise
one or more first openings; wherein the one or more housing hinge
barrels may be located at an upper edge of the second sidewall of
the bottom housing and may comprise one or more second openings;
wherein the one or more first openings of the one or more lid hinge
barrels may be substantially oblong in shape and not circular; and
wherein the roll pin may be disposed between the one or more first
openings of the one or more lid hinge barrels and one or more
second openings of the second hinges, such that the lid is
pivotally coupled to the bottom housing. The hinged container may
further comprise: a second container; wherein the second container
may be adapted to store a liquid and may comprise a front wall and
a rear wall; wherein the second container may be adapted to be
removeably fitted within an interior of the bottom housing; wherein
the bottom housing may comprise: a front wall and a rear wall; and
wherein the rear wall of the second container may comprise a raised
portion that fits snugly within an opening in the rear wall of the
bottom housing. The lid may comprise at least two ribbed portions
located within the interior of the first sidewall; and wherein the
indentation may be disposed between the at least two ribbed
portions, such that the at least two ribbed portions are adapted to
guide the latch into the indentation. The latch may vertically
traverse beyond the bottom housing. The raised portion of the
second container may be substantially circular in shape having a
first diameter; wherein the opening of the rear wall of the bottom
housing may also be substantially circular in shape having a second
diameter; and wherein the first diameter may be approximately equal
to the second diameter, such that the raised portion of the second
container matingly engages with the opening of the rear wall of the
bottom housing. The hinge assembly may further comprise a torsion
spring for exerting a bias between the lid and the bottom
housing.
It is an object to provide an e-liquid dispenser with a child
resistant mechanism.
It is an object to provide a hinged container with a child
resistant mechanism.
It is yet another object to overcome the limitations of the prior
art.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be or will
become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of
the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that
all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be
included within this description, be within the scope of the
invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments, but do not depict all
embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or
instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be
apparent or unnecessary may be omitted for the purpose of saving
space or for more effective illustrations. Some embodiments may be
practiced with additional components or steps and/or without some
or all components or steps provided in the illustrations. When
different drawings contain the same numeral, that numeral refers to
the same or similar components or steps.
FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of an
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of one embodiment of the
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 4 shows a rear elevation view of one embodiment of the
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 5 shows a hinged side elevation view of one embodiment of the
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 6 shows a latch side elevation view of one embodiment of the
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of one embodiment of the e-liquid
dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the e-liquid
dispenser with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a hinged
container of an e-liquid dispenser with its lid partially open.
FIG. 10 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a hinged
container of the e-liquid dispenser with its lid partially
open.
FIG. 11 shows another rear perspective view of one embodiment of
the hinged container of the e-liquid dispenser.
FIG. 12 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of an
e-bottle.
FIG. 13 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the
e-bottle.
FIG. 14 shows a right side elevation view of one embodiment of the
e-bottle.
FIG. 15 shows a left side elevation view of one embodiment of the
e-bottle.
FIG. 16 shows a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a
hinged container of an e-liquid dispenser with its lid closed.
FIG. 17 shows a front exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of the hinged container of the e-liquid dispenser with
its lid closed.
FIG. 18 shows a top exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the hinged container of the e-liquid dispenser.
FIG. 19 shows a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the
hinged container with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 20 shows a rear perspective view of the third embodiment of
the hinged container with a child resistant mechanism.
FIG. 21 shows a front exploded perspective view of the third
embodiment of the hinged container with a child resistant
mechanism.
FIGS. 22A and 22B show how a user may be able to open the third
embodiment of the hinged container.
FIG. 23 shows a front exploded perspective view of a fourth
embodiment of the hinged container with a child resistant
mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
various aspects of one or more embodiments. However, the one or
more embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these
specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so
as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
Although several specific embodiments are disclosed, other
embodiments of will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, which shows and describes
only several illustrative embodiments. As will be realized, these
embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious
aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure. Accordingly, these figures are to be regarded
as merely illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the
reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be
interpreted to limit the scope of the disclosure.
FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of an
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism. As shown in
FIG. 1, one embodiment of the e-liquid dispenser 100 may comprise:
a bottom housing 102, a lid 104, and an e-bottle 110. The lid 104
may be pivotally coupled to the bottom housing 102 to form a hinged
container, such that the lid 104 may pivot around a hinge (see
FIGS. 7 and 8). Thus, the lid 104 may be used to cover the top
portion of the bottom housing 102 when the e-liquid dispenser 100
is in a closed position. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 104 for
illustrative purposes appears as being constructed of a transparent
material, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or acrylic
glass, such as PLEXIGLAS.RTM. or ACRYLITE.RTM., but it may be
constructed of any other suitable material, such as stainless
steel, aluminum, chrome, various plastics and resins, and the like.
Similarly, the bottom housing 102 also may be constructed of
various materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, polished
chrome, and other metals and metal-alloys, as well as various types
of plastics or resins. Shown securely inserted into the bottom
housing 102 is the e-bottle 110, which may comprise conical spout
(see FIG. 3). The e-bottle 110 may also be refillable and blow
molded.
FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the
e-liquid dispenser with a child resistant mechanism. FIG. 2 also
shows the lid 104 in a closed position over the bottom housing 102.
As shown in FIG. 2, the rear wall of the bottom housing may
comprise an opening 130, which may be circular. This opening 130
may be used engage with a raised portion 132 of the e-bottle 110,
which may be located on the rear surface of the e-bottle 110 (see
also FIGS. 10, 11, and 13). By pressing inwardly on this raised
portion 132, the user of the e-liquid dispenser 100 may expel
e-liquid out of the e-liquid dispenser 100. Importantly, this
raised portion 132 may help secure and retain the e-bottle 110
within the bottom housing 102. Thus, by pressing on the raised
portion 132 and then pushing the e-bottle 110 upwards, the user may
be able to eject and remove the e-bottle 110 from the bottom
housing 102, wherein it is being removably held. Thus, unlike
conventional e-bottles that require two hands to open and expel
e-liquid, the e-bottle 100 disclosed herein provides a user of
e-cigarettes a convenient container to hold and dispense his or her
e-liquids using a "one handed operation".
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a front elevation and rear elevation view,
respectively, of the e-liquid dispenser 100 with its lid 104
closed. The lid 104 may comprise an annular ring 120 positioned
inside the lid 104 and above the spout 116, such that the annular
ring 120 is at a position to completely cover the spout 116 when
the lid 104 is fully closed. FIG. 4, which also shows a rear
elevation view of the e-liquid dispenser 100 with its lid 104
closed, shows the raised portion 132 on the rear surface of the
e-bottle 110 as protruding through opening 130 of the bottom
housing 102. Because the raised portion 132 and opening 130 are
both substantially circular, the raised portion 132 preferably
helps secure and retain the e-bottle 110 within the bottom housing
102. Although FIGS. 2 and 4 show the raised portion 132 as
circular, the raised portion may take any other various shapes such
as square, rectangular, or triangular.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show right side (hinged side) and left side (latch
side) elevation views, respectively, of the e-liquid dispenser 100.
As shown in FIG. 5, the e-liquid dispenser 100 may comprise a
bottom housing 102 and a lid 104, with the e-bottle 110 shown
securely inserted into the bottom housing 102. The bottom housing
102 and the lid 104 may be pivotally coupled by a hinge assembly
150, which is described in more detail below.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show a top plan view and a bottom plan view,
respectively, of the e-liquid dispenser 100. As shown in FIG. 7,
the lid 104 may comprise lid hinge barrels, which may comprise a
first lid hinge barrel 152 and a second lid hinge barrel 154. FIG.
7 shows that the lid hinge barrels may be coupled or integrated to
an edge of the second sidewall of the lid 104. Similarly, FIG. 8
shows that the bottom housing 102 may comprise housing hinge
barrels, which may comprise a first housing hinge barrel 156 and a
second housing hinge barrel 158. Like the lid hinge barrels, the
housing hinge barrels may be coupled or integrated to an edge of
the second sidewall of the bottom housing 102. The lid 104 and the
bottom housing 102 may be pivotally coupled or connected by
inserting a roll pin 166 (shown in FIG. 8) through the lid hinge
barrels and the housing hinge barrels--that is, through the first
housing hinge barrel 156, second housing hinge barrel 158, first
lid hinge barrel 152, and second lid hinge barrel 154. This
preferably allows the roll pin 166 to hold and rotatably secure the
lid 104 and the bottom housing 102 together, while allowing the lid
104 to rotate relative to the bottom housing 102.
The hinge assembly 150 (shown in FIG. 5) may also comprise a
torsion spring 160 (shown in FIG. 7) and a lever 164 (shown in FIG.
10). The torsion spring 160 and lever 164 may be configured, such
that lever 164 is spring biased to keep the lid 104 of the e-liquid
dispenser 100 closed or opened. Preferably, the spring-biased
pressure may be easily overcome by having a user move the lid 104
to the desired position. Accordingly, the purpose of the hinged
assembly 150 is preferably to provide a slight spring tension to
keep the lid 104 in the closed position when closed and in an open
position when open, such that the lid 104 is retained in the closed
position but may be easily opened and closed by the user, as
required. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that while
the hinge assembly 150 shown includes two pairs of hinge barrels, a
torsion spring, and a lever, other implementations of a hinge
assembly may include hinges having different configurations, such
as three or five barrel hinges, hinges inside or outside the
casing, leaf springs, coiled springs with plungers, cams, latches,
and the like that will also exert pressure on the lid when open and
closed. It is also contemplated that, in other embodiments, the
hinged assembly 150 may lack a lever.
FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a hinged
container of an e-liquid dispenser with its lid partially open. As
shown in FIG. 9, one embodiment of the hinged container 101 may
comprise a lid 104 and bottom housing 102. Importantly, FIG. 9 also
shows that the lid 104 may comprise a latch 140, which is located
at the first sidewall, left sidewall, or opposing sidewall away
from the hinged assembly 150. The latch 140 may extend beyond the
bottom edge of the first sidewall or latch sidewall and is
preferably adapted to engage with the indentation 144 (shown in
FIG. 10) when the hinged container 100 is closed. In one
embodiment, the indentation 144 is preferably located within the
interior of the first sidewall of the bottom housing 102.
FIG. 10 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the
hinged container of the e-liquid dispenser. As shown in FIG. 10,
the opening 130 may be located at the rear wall of the bottom
housing 102. Also shown is notch 164 that may be configured to
accept an end of the spring 160. FIG. 10 also shows that the
indentation 144 or notch may be positioned at the interior portion
of the first sidewall or latch sidewall of the bottom housing 102.
This allows the indentation 144 or notch to engage with the latch
140.
FIG. 11 shows another rear perspective view of one embodiment of
the hinged container of an e-liquid dispenser with its lid
partially open. Also shown in FIG. 11 is annular ring 120, which
may be positioned inside a top surface of the lid 104. A silicone
sealing cap (not shown) may be inserted inside the annular ring 120
in order to help seal the contents of the e-bottle inserted inside
the bottom housing 102. FIG. 11 also shows that a latch 140 may be
coupled or integrated to the interior of the first sidewall of the
lid 104. The latch 140 may help keep the lid 104 closed when the
latch 140 is held in place by insertion into the indentation 144 or
notch (shown in FIG. 10).
FIGS. 12-15 show various views of one embodiment of an e-bottle
that may be snugly secured substantially within the interior of the
bottom housing 102. In general, one embodiment of the e-bottle 110
may be constructed of blow molded plastic, which is generally a
material that is flexible and can be formed into any desired shape
using various blow molding processes. FIG. 12 shows that one
embodiment of the e-bottle 110 may also comprise a spout 116
located on a top portion of the e-bottle 110. FIG. 12 also shows
that one embodiment of the e-bottle 110 may comprise a cap 118
positioned on top of the spout 116. It is appreciated by those
skilled in the art that spout 116 may be integrated into the
e-bottle 110 during the blow molding process or may be detachable
and interchangeable, that is, may be removed by unscrewing the
spout and replacing it with another threaded spout. Likewise, the
cap 118 may be a snap-on cap attached to the spout by a plastic
strip or may be a removable threaded cap.
FIG. 13 shows that the rear surface of the e-bottle 110 may
comprise a raised portion 132. As discussed above, in the
embodiment of the e-liquid dispenser 100 shown in FIG. 1, the
bottom housing 102 may comprise an opening 130 at the rear wall.
The opening 130 may be circular and the diameter of the opening 130
may be approximately the same as the outside diameter of the raised
portion 132, if circular. This preferably allows a user of an
e-liquid dispenser to insert an e-bottle 110 into a bottom housing
so that the circular raised portion 132 will protrude or matingly
engage through the opening 130, which is also circular. This will
help secure the e-bottle 110 in the e-liquid dispenser 100. In
addition to circular shapes, the raised portion 132 may include
other shapes, without limitation, such as triangles, squares,
rectangles, pentagons, heptagons, hexagons, octagons, etc., so long
as the opening 130 in the bottom housing 102 of the e-liquid
dispenser has a like shape. Although FIG. 13 shows that the raised
portion is located at the rear wall of the e-bottle, another
embodiment of the e-bottle may have the raised portion located at
the front wall.
Regarding the shape and dimensions of an e-bottle 110, various
embodiments of an e-bottle 110 may hold 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 ml. of
e-liquid, or any other volume desired by a manufacturer of an
e-bottle 110. In one embodiment, an e-bottle 110 may have a
circular raised portion having a diameter 134 of approximately
1.50'' and a height 136 of the raised portion may be approximately
0.25''. In a preferred embodiment, the raised portion 132 may have
a height such that the e-bottle 110 is snugly held in the bottom
housing 102 but may be removed when a user exerts upward pressure
on the raised portion 132 of the e-bottle 110 to remove the
e-bottle 110 from the bottom housing 102. This embodiment of the
e-bottle 110 may hold approximately 15 ml of e-liquid, and the
spout 116 may be integrated into the e-bottle 110 or may be
detachable and interchangeable with other types of spouts, such as
a syringe top, a needle nose spout, a spout with attached cap, and
the like.
FIGS. 16-18 are illustrations of another embodiment of a hinged
container 200 of an e-liquid dispenser. The hinged container 200
may comprise a lid 204 and a bottom housing 202 that are pivotally
coupled to each other via a hinge assembly 250. In addition to the
elements shown in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10,
the hinge assembly 250 may also comprise a child-resistant
mechanism that prevents small children, from opening the e-liquid
dispenser.
FIGS. 17 and 18 show that one embodiment of the child-resistant
mechanism may comprise a movable latch 252 that slides into channel
258, where spring 254 exerts a bias on the movable latch 252. When
the lid 204 is closed, movable latch 252 may automatically snap or
spring back into the "locked" position without any action by the
user. Thereafter, the lid 204 preferably cannot be opened until the
movable latch 252 is pushed directionally (inwards, downwards or
upwards depending on the specific configuration), thus preventing a
small child from unintentionally or easily opening the e-liquid
dispenser.
FIGS. 19 and 20 show perspective views of a third embodiment of the
hinged container with a child resistant mechanism. As shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20, a third embodiment of the hinged container 301 may
comprise a lid 304, a bottom housing 302, a roll pin 366, and a
torsion spring 360. The lid 304 may comprise: lid hinge barrels, in
this case first lid hinge barrel 352 and second lid hinge barrel
354, indentation 344, and ribs 371, 372. The bottom housing 302 may
comprise: housing hinge barrels, in this case first housing hinge
barrel 356 and second housing hinge barrel 358, and a latch
340.
FIGS. 19 and 20 show that the latch 340 may be positioned above the
first sidewall (latch side) of the bottom housing 302 and that the
indentation 344 may be located within the first sidewall of the lid
304. The positions of the latch 340 and indentation 344 in
conjunction with the openings of the lid hinge barrels (shown in
FIG. 21) may serve as the primary components of the child resistant
mechanism. In particular, in this embodiment, the openings of first
lid hinge barrel 352 and second lid hinge barrel 354 are
preferably: (1) oblong, elliptical, or oval and (2) have the length
or major axis of the openings substantially aligned with the
horizontal plane, such that the wider lengthwise portion of the
openings are disposed horizontally. On the other hand, the openings
of the housing hinge barrels are preferably circular or round and
just large enough to fit the roll pin 366. This allows a user to
shift the lid 304 a small distance (e.g., one to several
millimeters) leftwards (i.e., away from the hinged assembly) and/or
rightwards (i.e., towards the hinged assembly) along a horizontal
plane with respect to the bottom housing 302. Thus, when the hinged
container 301 is closed, the latch 340 is preferably engaged with
the indentation 344, which prevents the user from opening the
hinged container 301 by simply pivoting the lid 304 upwards and
rightwards. The spring 360 also preferably provides pressure that,
when combined with friction, keeps the lid 304 in a closed
position. Rather, the child resistant mechanism requires that the
user horizontally shift the lid 304 leftward (i.e., away from the
hinged assembly) so that the latch 340 is no longer substantially
engaged with the indentation 344 or notch. As soon as the latch 340
is no longer substantially engaged with and/or blocked by the
indentation 344, the user may then pivot the lid 304 upwards and
rightwards, thereby opening the hinged container. Ribs 371, 372 may
also be utilized to help guide the latch 340 into the indentation
344. The ribs 371, 372 may also be adapted to prevent the user from
twisting the lid 304 with respect to the bottom housing 302.
FIG. 21 shows a front exploded view of the third embodiment of the
hinged container with a child resistant mechanism. As shown in FIG.
21, a third embodiment of the hinged container 301 may comprise a
lid 304, a bottom housing 302, a roll pin 366, and a torsion spring
360. The lid 304 may comprise: first lid hinge barrel 352 and
second lid hinge barrel 354. The bottom housing 302 may comprise:
first housing hinge barrel 356, second housing hinge barrel 358,
and latch 340. FIG. 21 shows that the openings 390, 391 of the lid
hinge barrels of the lid 304 are oblong, oval, or elliptical,
whereas the openings of the housing hinge barrels of the bottom
housing 302 are circular. This oblong, oval, or elliptical shape of
the openings 390, 391 preferably allows a user to move, shift, or
"slide" the lid 340 left or right with respect to the hinged
assembly, as constrained by the pin 366 as it moves with the oblong
openings 390, 391 of the inner hinge barrels 352, 354. This
movement, in turn, may release the latch 340 from being engaged
with the indentation 344 of the lid 304. As a result, the user may
be able to pivot open the lid 304 away from the bottom housing
302.
FIGS. 22A and 22B show how a user may be able to open the third
embodiment of the hinged container. As shown in FIG. 22A, the user
may initially shift, move, or slide the lid 304 to the left (i.e.,
away from the hinged assembly) with respect to the bottom housing
302. This is preferably due to the oblong, elliptical, or oval
shape of the openings 390, 391 of the lid hinge barrels of the lid
304. As a result, the latch 340 is released or disengaged from the
indentation 344 of the lid 304. Once the lid 304 is shifted away
from the hinged assembly, and the latch 340 released, the user may
then pivot open the lid 304 away from the bottom housing 302 to
access the e-bottle 100 or other contents.
Although the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 19-22 show the latch
340 positioned at the left sidewall of the bottom housing 302 of
the hinged container 301 and the indentation 344 positioned within
the interior of the left sidewall of the hinged container 301, it
is contemplated that the inverse may also be used in a separate
embodiment. In various embodiments the latch may be on the front or
rear sidewalls, and/or the sidewall opposite the hinged assembly,
as shown in FIGS. 19-22. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the latch and
indentation may be positioned on the same sidewall as the lid.
FIG. 23 shows a front exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the
hinged container with a child resistant mechanism. As shown in FIG.
23, a fourth embodiment of the hinged container 401 may comprise a
lid 404, a bottom housing 402, a roll pin 466, and a torsion spring
460. The lid 404 may comprise: lid hinge barrels (i.e., first lid
hinge barrel 452, second lid hinge barrel 454), and a latch 440.
The bottom housing 402 may comprise: housing hinge barrels (e.g.,
first housing hinge barrel 456, second housing hinge barrel 458)
and an indentation. Importantly, FIG. 21 shows that the openings
490, 491 of the lid hinge barrels (i.e., first lid hinge barrel
452, second lid hinge barrel 454) of the lid 404 are circular,
whereas the openings 492, 493 of the second hinge barrels (i.e.,
first housing hinge barrel 456, second housing hinge barrel 458) of
the bottom housing 402 are oblong, oval, or elliptical. This
oblong, oval, or elliptical shape of the second hinge barrels
preferably allows a user to move, shift, or "slide" the bottom
housing 402 forward or away from the hinged assembly, which in
turn, releases the latch 440 from being engaged with the
indentation of the lid 404. As a result, the user may be able to
pivot open the lid 404 away from the bottom housing 402.
While the above embodiments are directed to a hinged container 100,
101, 200, 301, 401, the child resistant mechanism disclosed herein
may be applied to other containers with the various types of
hinges, including without limitation, barrel, concealed, butterfly,
piano, strap, H, HL, Tee, Friction, living, self-closing, double
action, spring, and flush.
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings,
positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications
that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims
that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have
a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which
they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they
pertain.
The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are
disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These
embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious
aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also,
although not explicitly recited, the one or more embodiments may be
practiced in combination or conjunction with one another.
Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular
embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the
disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure not be
limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the
equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or
illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a
dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit,
advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it
is or is not recited in the claims.
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